April 18, 2021 All Things Bright and Beautiful Earth Day “All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise April 22 and wonderful the Lord God made them The Church teaches us to care for all.” God’s creation. So, make Earth Day special. This sweet poem found in many children’s books and artwork was Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato originally a hymn first published in Si’, “Care for Our Common Home,” he is emphasizes caring for our 1848 in Hymns for Little Children by Cecil environment through faith, hope, and Frances “Fanny” Alexander. The song love as a fundamental tenet of our was written by the Irish Christian poet Catholic identity. and song writer based on the opening Catholic Social Teaching also outlines statement of Apostles Creed, “I believe it is our duty to care for God’s in God, the Father almighty, creator of creation and called to protect people heaven and earth.” The Apostles creed is and the planet. Showing respect for used as a testimony of faith not only by the earth and creation shows love of the Roman , but also the Anglican, and some Protestant churches. God, Creator of heaven and earth - “the land, the rivers, the sea and the The hymn has evolved and changed through the years to emphasize the amazing animals that inhabit them – but also world God created for us. Oregon Catholic Press (OCP) shares the Laura Wasson’s and especially God’s human creation: version of the song, which changes the meter and harmony for children’s choirs. men, women and children and how You can listen to it here. our actions and inactions affect their All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, wellbeing,” Bishop Mark Brennan said this past fall in a teleconference All things wise and wonderful: the Lord God made them all. with Catholics on ecology, economy, Each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings, environment and human dignity. God made their glowing colors. God made their tiny wings. In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis warns us, “(Mother Earth) cries out to us Chorus: All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, because of the harm we have inflicted All things wise and wonderful: the Lord God made them all. on her by our irresponsible use and The purple headed mountain, the river running by abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her.” The sunset, and the morning that brightens up the sky, This week let our actions be louder Chorus: All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, than our words. Be mindful on how All things wise and wonderful: the Lord God made them all. you respect God’s creation in all forms. The cold wind in the winter, the pleasant summer sun, The ripe fruits in the garden: God made them every one. Chorus: All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful: the Lord God made them all. Versions of the song and poem often go on to include this last stanza, which inspires and reminds us to take action in honor of our Lord, “God gave us eyes to see them, and lips that we might tell. How great is God Almighty, who has made all things well!” Venerable Matteo Farina ~ Pray for Us

“We must live every day as if it were the connected to a brain tumor. For the next six last, but not in the sadness of death, but years he underwent several brain surgeries rather in the joy of being ready to meet the and chemotherapy. His positive attitude Lord!” and goal to get people to fall in love with These are the words of Venerable Matteo Christ did not faulter. His love for Mary Farina. Last spring, Pope Francis advanced strengthened. He said the every day, the cause of sainthood for Farina, a popular and when he was not receiving medical Italian teenager who died in 2009 from a treatments, he was in school and hung out brain tumor. with his friends who like him loved music and sports. Farina was born in 1990 and grew up in a strong Catholic family in Brindisi, in In one of his last journal entries Farina southern . At a very young age he was wrote about how important it is to hold captivated by his faith and the lives of St. onto Jesus: and St. , who where Capuchin “My God, I have two hands, let one of them be always clasped friars just like the pastors of his church. to you in order to hold you closer in every trial. And let the At the age of nine, he had a vivid dream and said St. Padre other hand fall throughout the world if this is your will… as Pio told him “who is without sin is happy,” and he must I know you by others, so let others know you through me. I get others to understand this truth, “so that we can all go want to be a mirror, the clearest possible, and if this is your together, happy, to the kingdom of heaven.” will, I want to reflect your light in the heart of every man. Thanks for life. Thanks for faith. Thanks for love. I’m yours.” After sharing the dream with his family and friends he began to keep a journal and write poetry and meditations. He wanted Farina died at home surrounded by his friends and family on to evangelize, his peers he knew and those he did not. April 24, 2009. Let us pray for him to intercede for all youth to find life, happiness, and love in God. In 2003 after his confirmation and just before his 13th birthday, Farina began to have severe headaches doctors later

Year of the Family Resource

Domestic Church Project – a website for today’s parents with simple and practical help to strengthen the faith within their family. A Minneapolis couple, Bill and Nancy Bandzuch, developed the website domesticchurchproject.com to help parents who have the typical struggles of having tons to do and not a lot of time to do it. For example, they encourage families to make the most of their time together, be it mealtime or a 15-minute conversation in the car and see that time as an opportunity to grow in faith and honor God. “Studies have shown that when parents show their faith it important, are active in their church, and talk about the faith in the home, 82% of those children will be active in their faith as young adults,” according to the National Study of Youth and Religion – Report on American Catholic Religious Parenting. The Bandzuchs also manage CatholicSprouts.com as another way to help parents evangelize children and “RAISE SAINTS and champions of the faith!” Both sites have wonderful resources, publications, podcasts, and links for Catholic families. Check them out by clicking Domestic Church Project and Catholic Sprouts. News from Catholic Charities West Virginia

Catholic Charities West Virginia Empowers Mountain Staters to a Pathway out of Poverty

By: Katie Hinerman Klug, Marketing Communications Specialist Catholic Charities takes a holistic and strengths-based approach to case management. “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s “Without Catholic Charities, I’d be lost,” said Mintie Ross, possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” CCWVa client/neighbor. “I wouldn’t know how to do different – St. Francis of Assisi things – like go to the store and buy cheaper stuff one way or As we look with hope toward the end of the coronavirus another.” pandemic, thousands of West Virginians are still reeling with Catholic Charities provides the support to help clients the challenges the past year has presented. move toward opportunity. Materials supports may include “We are providing three times the assistance we did in transportation to appointments, fees for official documents comparison to last year at this time,” said Beth Zarate, (birth certificate, driver’s license, etc.), vehicle repair, Catholic Charities West Virginia (CCWVa) President and uniform purchase, fees for workplace Chief Executive Officer. certifications, and more. Over the past year, In Martinsburg, our case manager CCWVa has seen many helped Reggie Smith and his family new families that have find housing and connected them to not previously needed available community resources. food assistance or “I’m just so thankful that they financial assistance. [Catholic Charities] opened the door For some of our for us with a [first month’s rent] clients, this temporary deposit,” said Smith. “I thank God assistance is enough. for them. They gave me hope to keep However, some need pushing.” additional guidance, support and services. Catholic Charities To learn more about Catholic Charities West is uniquely suited to help these individuals through our case Virginia, visit www.CatholicCharitiesWV.org. management program and our continuum of services. The Mission of Catholic Charities West “The power of case management is that it empowers people Virginia: Guided by God’s love, Catholic to make lasting changes that lead to greater stability, and Charities collaborates with community partners, parishes and families to provide caring and compassionate services construct a pathway out of poverty based on their unique to people in need and work toward lasting and meaningful change. strengths,” said Zarate.

Year of St. Joseph Opportunity for Men Saint Joseph was indeed a man of strong character and faith. He was chosen by God to teach, nurture, protect, and love His Son Jesus Christ. As men of faith, we are to aspire to be good fathers and guardians, putting faith and family first. In this Year of St. Joseph, we are encouraged to seek him to intercede for us. We can also look to him as a model to try to imitate. Virtual Catholic Conference has an opportunity for men - “A Man and a Father” – a Spring online conference from April 23 to the 25th. Check it out here. It is a free event, or you can upgrade your registration to be more interactive for a fee. The conference will discuss the role of a father today, leadership in church and business, tools to grow in faith, and the call to be men of honor. Dear St. Joseph, guide us in the path of life, and defend us from every evil. Amen. THird Sunday of Easter ~ April 18

First Reading ACTS 3:13-15, 17-19 Gospel LUKE 24:35-48 Peter said to the people: “The God of Abraham, the God The two disciples recounted what had taken place on the way, of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, has and how Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and bread. While they were still speaking about this, he stood in denied in Pilate’s presence when he had decided to release their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” But they him. You denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing that a murderer be released to you. The author of life you a ghost. Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And put to death, but God raised him from the dead; of this we why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and are witnesses. Now I know, brothers, that you acted out of my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost ignorance, just as your leaders did; but God has thus brought does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” And as to fulfillment what he had announced beforehand through he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer. they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece wiped away.” of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them. He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law Responsorial PSALMS 4:2, 4, 7-8, 9 of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” R. (7a) Lord, let your face shine on us. Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. When I call, answer me, O my just God, you who relieve me when And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ I am in distress; have pity on me, and hear my prayer! would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in R. Lord, let your face shine on us. his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You Know that the LORD does wonders for his faithful one; the LORD are witnesses of these things.” will hear me when I call upon him. R. Lord, let your face shine on us. O LORD, let the light of your countenance shine upon us! You put Prayer Intentions gladness into my heart. R. Lord, let your face shine on us. For the Church, that we may be a As soon as I lie down, I fall peacefully asleep, for you alone, O compassionate and forgiving people as we LORD, bring security to my dwelling. preach repentance for the forgiveness of R. Lord, let your face shine on us. sins to all the nations, let us pray to the Lord. . . For world leaders, that they may always Second Reading 1 JOHN 2:1-5a grow in wisdom and insight and that they My children, I am writing this to you so that you may not may be committed to the truth as they commit sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with exercise their leadership, let us pray to the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one. He is expiation for the Lord. . . our sins, and not for our sins only but for those of the whole For farmers, farm workers, and all who world. The way we may be sure that we know him is to keep his commandments. Those who say, “I know him,” but do plant and tend to the crops that feed and not keep his commandments are liars, and the truth is not in nourish us throughout the year, that they them. But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly may realize the fruits of their labors, let perfected in him. us pray to the Lord. . . For all who are preparing for receiving their First Holy Communion, and for all Alleluia Cf. LUKE 24:32 of us when we receive the Eucharist, that R. Alleluia, alleluia. we may know our Lord in the breaking of Lord Jesus, open the Scriptures to us; make our hearts burn the bread, let us pray to the Lord. . . while you speak to us. R. Alleluia, alleluia. Lord hear our prayer A Little Catholic humor

Liturgy of the Hours Pray the prayer for this day, this hour! Pray the prayer for this day, this hour! Scan the QR code or visit the link below to view a PDF version of the Liturgy of the Hours. ebreviary.com liturgy of the hours

coronavirus emergency WV Catholic Radiowww.ebreviary.com Brought to you by you Berkeley Springs - Hancock, MD FM 96.3 Berkeley Springs FM 107.9 Clarksburg-Bridgeport FM 97.5 Dunbar - Charleston AM 1450 Grafton - Clarksburg AM 1190 Montgomery - Beckley FM 89.7 Purgitsville FM 98.7 St. Marys - Parkersburg FM 105.3 Star City -Morgantown FM 89.7 Summersville FM 91.3 Wheeling - Martins Ferry, OH FM 90.7 Weirton - Steubenville FM 97.7 ~Also Streaming in WV at www.rdo.to/WLOL~ WV Catholic Radio www.WVCatholicRadio.org Online Saturday 6pm Masses will continue to be livestreamed from the Cathedral of St. Joseph, and will be available on our website each Sunday at dwc.org. Below are four options for enriching your spirit through daily Mass online. • EWTN airs daily Mass from Our Lady of Angels Chapel, in Irondale, Alabama, at 8am, noon, and 7pm: https://www.ewtn.com/tv/watch-live • St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York has daily Mass live streamed at 7am: https://saintpatrickscathedral.org/live • Catholic TV also streams its daily Mass: http://catholictv.org/masses/catholictv-mass • Daily Mass Online at Notre Dame’ Basillica of the Sacred Heart is live at 11:30 am Monday-Friday: https://campusministry.nd.edu/mass-worship/basilica-of-the-sacred-heart/watch-mass/special-masses/